Birmingham City VS Barnsley Match Prediction

  • Logo2018-02-24
  • Logo15:00:00
Birmingham City
VS
Barnsley

Our Prediction Tip

Birmingham City will win this match.

Birmingham have not beaten Barnsley since a 3-0 win at Oakwell in November 2013. They have drawn two and Barnsley have won the other two of the four fixtures since then. At Oakwell earlier this season, Barnsley won 2-0 thanks to goals from Tom Bradshaw and Zeki Fryers. Last time out at St Andrew's, the Tykes won 3-0. Here are the results of the last five matches:

Nov 04, 2017: Barnsley 2-0 Birmingham City
Dec 31, 2016: Barnsley 2-2 Birmingham City
Dec 03, 2016: Birmingham City 0-3 Barnsley
Jan 01, 2014: Birmingham City 1-1 Barnsley
Nov 30, 2013: Barnsley 0-3 Birmingham City

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Birmingham City vs Barnsley Betting Tips

Birmingham may have been in poor form of late, but that is nothing compared to Barnsley's dismal run of form.

Jose Morais' arrival may inspire the Tykes, but he can only work if what he has available to him and that is a small, injury-hit squad.

He is particularly light at the back, even with Adam Jackson and Matty Pearson fit again, and Birmingham's goal-shy forwards will hope to take advantage as they look to restore morale after Tuesday's crushing defeat.

Barnsley also lost in mid-week, dropping below Burton Albion in the league table, and so neither team will take any confidence or momentum into this game at St. Andrew's.

The ‘bounce effect' of a new manager did not come to fruition for Barnsley in mid-week, while Birmingham have also not performed all season.

Nevertheless, while there is unlikely to be many goals in it, the home team have enough about them to just about edge this fixture.

Birmingham City vs Barnsley Recommended bets with odds

As hosts, Birmingham are favourites for Saturday's fixture and can be backed at 7/5 with Betfair to beat Barnsley.

Do not expect many goals, however, with both sides lacking up front this season - you can bet against BTTS at 4/5 with Bet365, Ladbrokes and Betfair.

You can also get 12/5 with Bet365 and Ladbrokes on Birmingham to win to nil, and a best price of 10/3 on them to win with under 2.5 goals scored in the game.

A 1-0 Birmingham win will return 11/3 with Bet365, William Hill, Ladbrokes and Betfair.

Birmingham City vs Barnsley Prediction

Birmingham City have been in bad form since their mini-resurgence ended earlier this month, but Barnsley have been in dreadful form for a few months now. Blues have home advantage, and need to fully exploit that despite their lack of goals at St. Andrew's this season.

Correct Score Prediction: Birmingham City 1-0 Barnsley

 

Team News

Maikel Kieftenbeld will serve the second game of his two-match ban for picking up too many yellow cards, while David Davis is out injured. Jacques Maghoma and Jeremie Boga were hauled off at half-time in the defeat to Brentford and could be just two of several changes Steve Cotterill looks to make after that defeat.

Key Players

Birmingham have struggled for goals this season and Southampton loanee Sam Gallagher remains their top scorer, with seven. Experienced midfielder Jason Lowe is fit again, and could be a key figure in the middle.

Team Form

Birmingham's mini resurgence has been well and truly ended in recent weeks, with a 4-1 extra-time defeat to Huddersfield in their FA Cup fourth round replay starting an abysmal run of form. They have since lost 2-0 at rivals Aston Villa, lost 1-0 to Millwall in their most recent home game and then, on Tuesday night, crashed to a 5-0 defeat at Brentford - despite having signed three of the Bees' best players in August.

Birmingham City Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-1-4-1

Team News

Jose Morais' first starting XI contained no shocks as he actually opted for an unchanged side from the draw with Sheffield Wednesday. Dimitri Cavare remained sidelined after his shocking sending off against Fulham - no longer suspended, but now down the pecking order - while most decisions were made for Morais due to injuries. Matt Mills' injury means another enforced change at the back, and with Ethan Pinnock still unfit it will be Adam Jackson or Matty Pearson who replaces him.

Key Players

Tom Bradshaw has scored nine goals in 36 games for Barnsley this season and therefore tops the goalscoring charts. His new strike partner, Swansea loanee Oliver McBurnie will hope to prove his potential alongside Bradshaw in the run-in.

Team Form

Barnsley have won just one of their last 18 matches, and that was against bottom-club Sunderland. Jose Morais' first game in charge on Tuesday night ended in a 2-1 defeat to Burton Albion. They drew 1-1 at home to Sheffield Wednesday in their previous game before that - the only point they have won in their last five matches.

Barnsley Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-4-2

Birmingham's mini resurgence has come to a shuddering halt but the home tie against Barnsley is well-timed if they want to get back to winning ways. While Jose Morais could turn things around for the Tykes, they have been in dreadful form - one win in 18 tells its own story. The only thing that could hold the Blues back is their poor goalscoring form at home this season.
Birmingham have only scored 11 goals in 16 home games this season - less than every other team in the Championship.